Welcome to Mr. Cochran's webpage!

All
students are required to keep a well organized three ring binder. The
first section of the binder includes all classnotes. The second section
is the Table of Contents (all handouts given) with their title and date
given.

Students are expected to bring their textbook to class everyday.

***In preparation for the Biology Competency Test,
(which will be in May 2016) students in CP Biology and Honors Biology
classes are required to complete a Study Island assignment. Students
will be notified when the assignment is ready for them.

To log in into Study Island, students use:
Username: student id number followed by "nb" (lower case)
Password: student id number followed by "nb"
Click on "My classes" on the left and look for the biology assignment.

(3206/3207) College Prep Biology

Grades 10 - 12

6 credits - 1 year

Course Description:

Using a large-scale perspective, students will explore six major
themes of biology. Beginning with sub-cellular topics and advancing
through human systems, students will gain a broad spectrum-learning base
of the biological sciences. Topics of study included are biochemistry,
cells, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, DNA and genetics, Earth’s
early processes, ecology and human systems. Through interactive lab
work, students will investigate the biochemical basis of life and how
living and non-living factors work together in ecosystems. In addition
to traditional classroom practices, technology based projects will be
incorporated to enhance the student’s ability to process and display
information in a variety of presentation formats. This course addresses
the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Science Practices, Life Science
and Earth Systems Science.

Proficiencies:

Upon completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the parts of the light microscope and use it correctly.

2. Identify the characteristics which distinguish living things from non-living.

3. Identify inorganic and organic compounds according to their chemical composition.

4. Draw, label, and explain the parts of a cell in relation to their specific functions.

5. Construct in writing a simplified chemical equation for both respiration and photosynthesis.

6. Use Mendel’s laws to predict the outcome of basic genetic crosses.

7. Explain the theory of evolution and the evidences for it.

8. Describe the basic features of each of the taxonomic kingdoms and compare the kingdoms.

9. Compare the structure to the function of plant roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.

10. Compare the structure of the function of the major human body organs and organ systems.

12. Analyze the effects of human activities, including air and water
pollution, solid and hazardous waste, habitat loss and extinction, on
environmental quality, especially as they relate to New Jersey.

Course Requirements:

Students will be expected to:

1. Contribute to the learning process of the class by maintaining
a high level of participation, cooperation and preparation.

2. Attend class regularly.

3. Complete all assignments, labs, and projects.

4. Take detailed and organized notes.

5. Follow instructions and safety guidelines

6. Apply basic math skill to various biological problems.

7. Take detailed and organized notes.

Evaluation Procedures:

Marking period grades will be determined by:

Homework 5%

Quizzes 20%

Tests 40%

Labs & Activities 35%
_______

100%

Rev 09/2011

Honors Biology – 3237

In this rigorous course, students will study the various components
of the major concepts in biology including biochemistry, cell theory and
processes, cellular reproduction and genetics, evolution, and ecology.
Classroom activities will include cooperative study activities and
laboratory work as well as group projects.

Note: Students in this course must take the state administered NJ Biology Competency Test (BCT) in May.

Classroom Expectations:

Respect!!!! Each other and all adults in the classroom!

There is to be NO cell phone use in class!!! Period.

There is to be NO food or drink in the science classroom.

Students should come to class prepared with their textbooks,
pens/pencils, notebooks, homework, and any other materials needed for
class…no locker passes.

Students should be in the room when the bell rings or they will be
marked late to class. Disciplinary referrals will be submitted as
outlined in the student handbook for students who are repeatedly late to
class.

Students should follow written directions, safety precautions, and all school policies and procedures at all times.

Harassment or bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.

Students should not go into desk drawers, classroom cabinets, or the back prep-room without permission.

Assignments are due on the due date. Complete all assignments on-time, every time.

Frequent passes to leave class will not be permitted. I highly
suggest you take care of your personal business outside of class time.
Requests to leave class should only occur if absolutely necessary.

Materials Needed: Three Ring Binder with Filler Paper or Notebook

Folder used only for this class

Pens and Pencils

Calculator

Marking Period Grade:

Tests 60%
Quizzes 10%
Labs & Activities 25%
Homework _5%
100%

Course Grade:

4 Marking Period Grades 22% each 88%
Final Exam Grade _12%
100%

Academic Integrity:

Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated at any level. Working
together and copying work are NOT the same thing. Discussing
information as a group is appropriate, however, each student must use
his/her own words when completing written work. Copying assignments
from another student IS cheating. Using technology during any
assessment (quiz or test) IS cheating. Using words you found off the
internet as your own, IS cheating. Pressuring someone to share
information about projects, quizzes, and tests you will be taking is not
only cheating but unfair to the other individual. In order to
understand the material at the level expected in this course, you must
do your OWN work. If academic dishonesty occurs in this course,
students will receive no credit for the assignment in question and a
disciplinary referral will be submitted to their administrator. I
strongly urge all students to avoid this situation at all costs by
working hard, reading, studying, and asking for help. Hard work will
lead to success!! You can do it!!

(3325/3326) CP Environmental Science

Grade 10-12

5 credits - 1 year

Course Description:

It is assumed that students taking this course have strong reading
comprehension skills and have exhibited competency in biology. This
academic course examines a comprehensive set of topics relating to
ecology and the student’s place in the natural world. Students will be
exposed to the mechanisms that drive ecological communities, human uses
of natural resources and the problems in the natural world caused by
human activities. The curriculum will center on laboratory and field
activities as well as current environmental issues. This course
addresses concepts in the New Jersey Core Content Standards in Earth
Science Systems.

Proficiencies:

At the completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Understand and utilize the scientific method and tools of scientists.

2. Construct and interpret graphs and hypotheses.

3. Identify plants and organisms in their environment.

4. Understand the importance of conservation, recycling and biodiversity as they pertain to ecosystem stability and balance.

5. Explain changes that occur in all the spheres of earth as
well as the needs of organisms and their interaction with each other.

6. Illustrate how energy and elements cycle through the ecosystem and the earth.\

7. Describe the roles of organisms in an ecosystem and how they evolve and how they are affected by change.

8. Relate changes in the ecosystem to balance and stability and describe the stages of succession.

9. Explain and describe characteristics of eight terrestrial biomes and the freshwater and marine biomes.

10. Explain the importance of biodiversity, and the effects of humans and habitat destruction on biodiversity.

11. List ways to achieve a sustainable environment through conservation of resources and biodiversity, and recycling.

12. Describe ways to protect the environment through local, federal
and international policies.\Depict how organic fuels are used as energy
resources and their effects.

13. Explain how a nuclear reactor works and the risks/benefits/examples associated with nuclear power.